ILDA KURTI & AURORA SHPATAJ
During an interview, Prime Minister Rama stated that Albania had the lowest unemployment rate in the region. A research on international official reports regarding unemployment rates in the Balkans revealed that the Prime Minister’s claim was false. On the other hand, Albania has a high level of informal employment, which comprises a sector heavily affected by the pandemic, despite the lack of official figures of the consequences.
During an interview for Politiko show, on December 3rd, Prime Minister Rama stated that Albania had the lowest unemployment rate in the region.
“The World Banka published a report on unemployment and Albania was ranked as the country with the lowest unemployment rate in the region. The rate was about eleven point something percent, which was the lowest in our region.” – Rama stated during the interview.
Faktoje decided to fact-check the statement made by Prime Minister Rama. Referring to World Bank reports on Western Balkans, the country with the lowest unemployment rate was Serbia, followed by Albania, which had a slightly higher rate.
Chart published by the World Bank
The chart published by the World Bank and referred to by Prime Minister Rama shows that Albania is the second country with the lowest unemployment rate in the Western Balkans.
Faktoje carried out a second fact-checking process, referring to data published by Trading Economics on unemployment rate in the Western Balkans.
The data revealed that Serbia had the lowest unemployment rate in the region, with the second quarter of the year having a 7.30% rate, which increased to 9.00% during the third quarter of the year.
In the meantime, Albania is the second country with the lowest unemployment rate in the Western Balkans, with a 11.90% rate in the second quarter of the year and a 12.50% rate during the third quarter.
Faktoje contacted the expert, Ornela Liperi, who referred to the European Commission, which estimates unemployment rates for countries aiming at the European Union integration.
The European Commission report showed that Albania was the second country with the lowest unemployment rate in the region, preceded by Serbia.
The European Commission 2020 report
The report found that Albania had a 12.0% unemployment rate, as compared to Serbia which had a 10.4% rate, as the country with the lowest unemployment rate in the Western Balkans. Kosovo had the highest rate with 25.7%, followed by Montenegro with 17.3% and Bosnia and Herzegovina with 15.7%.
A table regarding the unemployment rate in the region.
Based on Faktoje findings and sources suggested by experts, Prime Minister Rama statement is rated as false.
